Improvement in electro-magnetic engines



2Sheets Sheet 1.

W. VERGNES. ELECTRIC ENGINE Patented Oct. 2, 1860.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAURICE VERGNES,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 30,272, dated October 2, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownfthat I, MAURICE VERGNQS, of the city and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Eugines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, and of its construction and mode or manner of operation, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the let ters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

My invention isa-n improvement on the electric engine for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted tome bearing date April 15, 1856. Instead ofemployingtwo distinct sets of electro-magnets revolving in double helices, I use but a single wheel, the radii of which are electro magnets, and revolving in a single set of helices; and the nature or distinguishing feature of my invention or improvement consists in so disposing a series of eleotro-magnets on a common axle and revolvin g within stationary helices, that all such electro-magnets shall have, when passingthrough one end of such helices, a like polarization, and vice versa. By this arrangement I obtain a continuous rotary motion, without any deadpoint, and generate a power which can be applied with. great usefulness.

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved electric engine. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Figs. 3, 4. are representations of particular parts thereof.

A B0 D, Fig. l, are two helices made of copper wire, and perfectly insulated, and spread a little at their centers, to allow the shaft J J to pass between them. The two extremities or ends of these helices connect with the knobs P N, which are themselves connected with the positive and negative poles ofa voltaic battery in such a manner that the current of electricity flows into the wires of the helices always in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2.

In the interior of the helices A B O D revolves a wheel composed of two fiat electromagnets, E F G H, placed at right angles with each other, and on a common center on the shaft J J. The arrangement and disposition of the apparatus connected with these electromagnets is such that when the electromagnet G H approaches an inclination of fortyfive degrees with the helices the electricity passes into such magnet G H and drives or attracts it in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1,and a little before this'electro-magnet loses its electricity, or the electricity, ceases to pass into it, (which occurs just after this magnet has passed a position at right angles with that at which it received its electricity,) the other electro-magnet, E F, receives the current of electricity, which drives or moves it in the same manner, so that the polarization of both these electro-magnets is always the same when they are passing the points indicated by the arrow. The current of electricity passinginto one electro magnet just before it ceases to pass into the other, there is thus no dead-point or interval of time when the electric power is not efi'ective on such magnets. This action and eifect is secured and produced by means of the cylinder K, which is made of insulating materials, and which is covered with two brass rings, S S and T T, Fig. 4, against which revolve and press the rollers L M and O R, and which are the bearers or conductors of the electricity from the battery to the magnets E F G H. These rollers, one of which is repre sented in Fig. 3, are pressed gently against the cylinder K, by means of the screw S, and

they may also be raised or lowered as necessary by the screw T T.

The two brass rings about the cylinder K are composed of four pieces each. A diagram of such rings, extended on a plane, is represented by Fig. 4. The parts 1 and 3 of one ring are connected by the wires E F with the extremities ofthe wires ofthe electro-magnet E F, and the pieces 6 and S of the other ring are connected by the wires G H with the extremities of the wires of the electro-magnet G H.

L M 0 R indicate the points of contact of the bearers or conductors of electricity, of which L O are connected with the positive pole of a galvanic battery, and M R with the negative pole of the same battery.

The parts 2, 4, 5, and 7 are neutral, and are smaller than the other parts 1 3 6 8. By means of this proportionate size ofthese several parts one electro-magnet receives the electricity before the other has lost it, so that there is no dead-point during the rotation of the wheel.

0n the outside of the helices are placed permanent iron plates U U, embracing the wires, and which increase the power of the helices. When I increase the power of the machine, and consequently the size of the eleotro-magnets, I secure the wires of such magnets by metallic diaphragms. secured to the center piece.

I do not limit or confine myself to the use of but two electro-inagnetsatright angles with each other; but any number of electro-magnets, disposed to make a wheelvof four, six, eight, or more radii, may be made use of. I can also make use of either a single battery or two distinct ones to drive the machine. If desired to use but a single battery, itis only necessary to establish a communication between P and N, Fig. 2; but whatever the number of the revolving electro magnets, the polarization of such revolving electro magnets is to be changed, so that they shall have a like polarizationwhen passing through one end of the helices, while the polarization of the helices remains unchanged.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The arrangement of a series of electromagnets, disposed as the radii of a wheel on a common center or axle, and revolving within M. VERG'NES.

Witnesses:

S. D, LAW, JOHN CLAY. 

